Plotting my lighting scheme. Some suggestions?

[calihawker]

Hi!

I'm entering the final phase of planning for my 300 gallon reef setup which means lighting. From the start I've decided I want some kind of zonation with sps corals on one end of the 8 foot long tank and softies on the other with a clam bed in the middle. Here's my idea for the lighting setup and schedule. Let me know what ya'll think, and if anyone's got any ideas or suggestions I'd really appreciate it.

4 vho actinics 12 hrs.

4 250 watt mh. (1- 6,500k and 1- 10,000 on the octocoral side, 1- 6,500k and 1- 20,000k radium on the sps side.) 8 hrs.

1 400 watt mh 10,000k on the sps side 3 hrs.

I also have an aquamedic moon light. Everything will be hooked up to a controller which I hope will simulate seasons as well as lunar phases.

One other question.
How significant are the ballasts as used for aquariums? My 250 watt mh have icecap ballasts but the 400 watt balast was pulled out of my old industrial building. I have no idea what it is.
I have a number of them if anyone wants to make an offer before I put them on e-bay.

Thanks alot for all the help!!!

Steve

[EmersonAly]

How deep is your tank?

emerson

[calihawker]

Hi emerson

the tank is 30" deep

[wetworx101]

I would just go with 400s all around...and instead of wasting your money on VHO/PC actinics, simply buy more halides, like 250wattDE bulbs, and use the bluest 20,000K you can find(or even 50,000K if you can find them) for the supplimental blue.